This time of year I like to pause and reflect on everything God has done during the year, how my kids have grown and matured as they walked through another year of life, and the way my life and character changed for the better. So take a moment with me to celebrate this past year!

January 10, 2009 ~ DTS begins! I started a new, wonderful, crazy adventure as I led my first DTS ever! And we had our first African students!

January 13, 2009 ~ Joshua started Grade 1 and Emma Grace preschool! Doesn't he look thrilled? It WAS early in the morning! And Emma Grace, well, she was a little unsure.

February 25, 2009 ~ A home was built in Mbonisweni for some kids! Thank you, YWAM Orlando!

March 27, 2009 ~ Marked 13 years in ministry for me! Oh, my! No wonder I need a sabbatical!

Yes, it's been a busy year and a good year full of lots of great things. I was stretched in more ways than I could have imagined. Creativity abounded in our home as I become a huge advocate for others finding their creative outlet. My kids grew a little big bigger and matured a little more. As I look ahead to 2010, I'm very excited about this first season of rest. What are you looking forward to as you enter 2010?

Isn't it fun to win something? I love it! Games, free stuff, you name it, I always find it fun! So when I recently won two giveaways, I was ecstatic! It reminded me why I love hosting giveaways right here.

And then, just a couple of weeks later, I won a product[RED] iPod Nano from Steady Mom! A portion of the proceeds from all RED products goes to help fight AIDS in Africa. How cool is that! I am thoroughly enjoying this little Nano. I can listen to music, watch movies or tv shows, shoot video! All kinds of fun!

all photos by my wonderful husband!

Speaking of giveaways, anyone looking for a makeover? A blog makeover that is. Ana at Barefooted Blessings is offering a full photoblog makeover worth $225! Enter here for your chance to win!

You have to take advantage of it! When we moved to Connecticut, we received our fair share of snow. In fact, the year we moved there it snowed until April! Joshua quickly grew to love the snow and the sledding adventures we had. Since we left Connecticut, we haven't seen much snow. South Africa doesn't quite get snow (well, they do in the mountains down south but not in our neck of the woods). So Joshua has been begging to see snow since we arrived. Well, not only did he get some snow, but he got a white Christmas! Much fun has been had in the cold, whiteness that filled the yard. Can't you tell?

This year Santa got a new recipe that I tried, chai shortbread cookies from Food Network's 12 Days of Christmas cookies. If you like chai, you will love these cookies (I did!) The kids didn't quite like them, but since Santa is a grown up, we'd figure he might like them!

About me

Creativity, adventure, family and love are a few of my favorite things. I have spent the last 22 years traveling the world in search of them. My husband and I co-founded, along with a friend, an organization called Ten Thousand Homes, a non-profit building futures and homes. In 2016, I started a social enterprise called The Reverie Guesthouse. I believe we can change the world. I have two beautiful children who teach me everyday. I enjoy writing and the occasional photo.